When the case was taken up today, the Terrorist Investigation Department (TID) officials informed the court that they had held discussions with the AG’s Department but they had not been instructed as yet to release the inmates.

It was reported yesterday that the government had instructed the Attorney General’s Department to take necessary action to apply bail for the suspects who could be released.

Prison Commissioner General Rohana Pushpakumara stated in a communiqué that this step had been taken after lengthy discussion between the President, Prime Minister, the Attorney General and authorities of other relevant institutions.

The minister of National Dialogue Mano Ganeshan told our news team that a group of Tamil detainees would receive bail after Court today.

Meanwhile MPs and Provincial Councilors representing the Vanni District show protest on Deepavali Day cited that they cannot celebrate the festival as Tamil political prisoners are detained.

Residents staged a protest in front of the Mannar District Secretariat, demanding the release of Tamil political prisoners.

Meanwhile TNA MP M.K. Sivajilingam stated that the government should extend an amnesty and release all political prisoners.